The Garner Gazette

In My Next 30 years!

2011-07-22T11:42:00.002-07:00

So, it's been a long time since I posted anything! This is serving as a reminder to me, to update this as soon as I get back from girls camp next week!!!! I can't believe the Summer is almost over. I don't want my kids to go back to school yet! I miss them already. Life is going to fast for me at the moment! I want to put it in slow motion so I can actually see half of what's going on with everyone in my family! I am getting ready to enter my 3 decade of life, so I've been doing some soul-searching/ contemplating on life. I am very happy with my family, where I live, and all that, but I want more out of life....not in a monetary way or what I have. I want to seize the moment and really do all I can, for my family, my church, my friends, and myself. The only problem is, I have always been good at noticing what I do wrong, or don't do enough of, but change is always the hurdle I get stuck on. I have the hardest time sticking with something. So to take a line from Tim McGraw..."In my next 30 years" I am going to learn how to not only see what I need to change in my life, but to find it in myself to stick with "it" (whatever that may be) and change!

Ok, enough of this....I need to go and DO! Girls camp is almost here! :)

Garner Family Photos 2008 2009

2010-12-02T08:20:00.001-07:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

"Temporary Home"

2010-05-11T13:28:00.003-07:00

Here is a video I put together with a song my sister, Jaime, shared with me several months ago. I love it and thought I'd share!

This life we are in is also just a temporary home until we meet our maker again. So let's pray that we all make the most of this experience here on Earth.

How can I arrange the pictures once I add them to my blog?

2010-05-10T18:26:00.002-07:00

My pictures for my last post ended up being in reverse order because I started added the oldest ones first...I want it the other way around. Is there any way to rearrange them once I add pictures?

Mother's Day Miracles

2010-05-10T10:58:00.009-07:00

Wesley took this one.

One week ago on May 3rd I got a call at around 3:00pm and it was from Arizona's Children (the agency who helped us get our foster care license last year). They told us they had a possible placement (which we have got many calls the same that haven't amounted to anything) They asked me if we would be willing to take in a newborn. I told them yes. They said they were having a meeting regarding him on Tuesday and if I was interested in getting him to come to the meeting. I was excited, but I didn't think it would happen. So I went about what I was doing....getting ready for our Family Home Evening activity at the park to celebrate my Aunt Leonda's bday! I got another call about 3o minutes later telling me that the placement could possibly happening today and asked if I would be able to pick the baby up from the hospital that day. They said they would let me know if that was happening in about 30 minutes. I figured I should probably finally shower for the day. I had so many feelings, I was excited, nervous, and I didn't know what to expect. I decided to kneel down and pray that if we were supposed to welcome this new little baby into our home that everything would work out....I was feeling good about it and in the middle of my prayer I got a call from the CPS caseworker asking me if I could meet him at the hospital at 4:30...it was now 4:05. I had just got out of the shower and I had my 3 kids I needed to find a babysitter for. I asked if he could make it 4:45pm so I could get my kids to someone's house. Good thing I live so close to family. I called my Dad and 10 minutes later he and my mom were over at my house picking up my kids and taking care of the situation. I had called Shawn and told him not to meet me at the park as previously planned, but to meet me at the hospital instead that we were going to get the baby after all. He was a little shocked, but excited too!

We had a really neat experience where they took us into a special room in the hospital to wait for the baby. When the closed the door and left Shawn and I in there alone to wait for the baby I got pretty emotional. I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. We started the process to get licensed to become foster parents in May 2009, we took 12 weekly 3 hour long classes, did background checks, got letters of recommendation and all sort of other stuff to get licensed. We finally finished that process in October 2009 and have been waiting for the perfect situation to come along. It did last Monday! When they wheeled that little baby into the room. I was amazed. I was excited. The first thing I saw was this head full of dark brown hair. There were security guards outside the room. The CPS worker, a hospital caseworker and a nurse in the room with us. They were all very kind to us. After about an hour of talking with the nurse, and signing some paperwork, they had Shawn pull our van up to the side entrance, to avoid any conflict with the parents and then I walked out followed by the guards, and nurse. The nurse kept telling us how grateful she was he got to come to our home and gave me a hug before we left. Let me tell you walking into the hospital not pregnant, and then walking back out 1 hour later with a brand new sweet little baby is quite an experience.

My kids were very excited when they got home from the park. Wesley kept asking if we got to keep him or not. That is the difficult part. We don't know. In the past week that sweet little baby has stolen my heart and it feels like he is mine. I love him and I am nervous and anxious to see what the first hearing that we have this afternoon will bring. We could have him for a very short time or it could go to adoption, which is what I am hoping for. It just feels so right having him as a part of our family, but Heavenly Father knows what is in our hearts and what is in this little sweethearts best interest. So if we keep him a few months or forever I am going to love him as long as I have him and give him what he deserves, a family who will love him, and nurture him like all babies should get. I just hope we can make a difference in his life like he has already made in ours. He is definitely a blessing and a wonderful Mother's Day gift.

When I was talking about the situation with my brother-in-law he brought up the quote

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all.'

Alfred Lord Tennyson

So that is going to be my quote to live by as we go through this experience. Everytime we went to the classes to get licensed we would go in kind of questioning if Foster care would be for us or not, and then we would come out 3 hours later knowing that we were doing what Heavenly Father wanted of us. We felt so good about it and now we are finally getting to do it. I just hope I can cope if it doesn't turn out how I want, as this sweet little baby as an eternal member of our family. I didn't think I would become so attached so quickly, but I think it is because this perfect little baby came as a clean slate, who is easy teach the correct behaviors as he grows, not a child who has learned so many incorrect things from neglectful parents and trying to get them to change their bad behaviors. Let's just say he is very easy to love. I can't post his name, that is why I haven't mentioned it yet.

So I am praying every day in gratitude for the experience and for strength to be ok if the outcome isn't what I want because I know it would feel like my own child was being taken from me. So only time will tell, but I am going to love him every minute I have him!

Gracie's 8, Wesley's 5, we moved, I had surgery, Shawn got a new job...

2010-04-21T10:45:00.002-07:00

So as you can see we've had a little bit of everything the past month and a half! The most important is definitely Gracie's baptism. It was a wonderful event. I didn't realize how emotional it would make me having Gracie baptized. She was so excited to take this important step. She was very ready and excited for what lies ahead. She looked beautiful in her 2nd white dress and I loved watching her and Shawn meet in the middle of the font. She was baptized directly after her double-cousin, Stephen Garner who is 8 days older than her. We had a lot of family and it was wonderful. I will post pics soon!

My sweet boy, Wesley turned 5 the day before Gracie's baptism, so he was lucky enough to get to have a bunch of family at the park for a bbq and bday party. He also had a bowling party the next week with some of his "boys" and Gracie.

About 3 weeks ago we moved into a home we bought right across the street from my sister, Gretchen. Her address is 1818 and we are 1817! Our front doors front each other. My kids love it, my husband loves it and so do I. We love being in our own home! It is wonderful.

Shawn started with a new law firm about 6 weeks ago and it is going wonderfully. It is a much better fit for him and we are grateful for this new opportunity.

The last bit of "exciting" news is that from March 12-28 I was in and out of the hospital 4 times which resulted in my gallbladder being removed. As much as I don't like staying in hospitals, I am grateful that we fixed the problem and I am back to normal...with a four additional scarres (spelling?)

Oh, I almost forgot the best thing....1 week after we moved in Molly decided to help decorate my bathroom. She took a red King sized sharpie and covered my sink, counter, cabinet bathtub, walls, shower door, tile floor, and doors with red artwork. After a ton of scrubbing. It all looks as good as new, except that my doors and walls are primer white right now! Thanks goodness for little girls! I love my kids!

Pictures from Brittany

2009-11-30T14:02:00.001-07:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

2009-08-06T17:56:00.002-07:00

So today Dylan taught Wesley how to do back flips into the pool. The one on the video isn't as good as some of the ones I saw him do, but I can't even believe he can do it! It just shows how important it is to have GOOD examples because kids will do whatever they see, good or bad. I am grateful my kids have so many cousins to be good influences to them!!

Family Time is Fun Time!

2009-05-27T14:49:00.005-07:00

Sunday afternoon with some of the family!

Wesley took this picture of Rachel
Dad and his first-born Heather

Sarah, Gretchen, Meagan, Me, Mom, Rachel, Dad, Heather

Everyone and Mikaela

Doesn't he look happy to be in a picture!!!

Maycee

Gretchen and Sarah

Mikaela.....isn't she cute!

Molly and Sarah

My niece Maycee showing off her talents!

American Idol Finale!

2009-05-21T05:42:00.003-07:00

KRIS ALLEN WINS!!!

Yipee! Shawn and I were laughing at ourselves. I think last night's American Idol finale was kind of like our Super Bowl. We loved hanging out watching the comedic finale that gave us a surprising, but desired result. I can't wait to see what kind of album Kris puts out. I really think he is going to be great! (Sorry Meagan, I know you wanted Adam, but it just wasn't meant to be) Actually, I do think Adam was good, but everything started sounding the same to me after a bit and did you notice the shoes he was wearing when he was performing with Kiss???? Scary!

Wesley's take on the camping trip

2009-05-18T11:09:00.004-07:00

I love hearing little kids talk and I love my Wesley's raspy voice. Here's what he says about the camping trip. (Notice Shawn looking very sleepy in the background. It is a lazy Sunday afternoon!)

Look's Who's Walkin'?

2009-05-17T17:33:00.004-07:00

Gracie and Molly cuddling before Gracie heads off to school at Ronald Reagan Elementary!
These next 3 pictures are from today. Wesley loves to do "Tough Guy" poses and Gracie does a pretty good job too!

Ok so we didn't manage to get everyone in the picture, but here we are!

Shawn and his brood!

Shawn hardly ever wears a hat because he says his hair is too poky and that his hair actually hurts his head, but I really like him in one, so everytime I want him to wear one I can look at this.

My little Molly Allison is walking! She started about 3 weeks ago and now she has perfected it.

Shawn and Wes' Camping Trip

2009-05-17T16:43:00.004-07:00

Ok, so I sent Shawn with the camera to document his camping trip with Wesley, his brother Steve, and Stephen. He didn't actually remember to take any pictures while they were camping, but at least he got a little video of the campsite before they drove away. Don't miss the dirt all over Wes' face as proof of a great time.

On Friday after work the boys headed up to the Laguna mountains for a "Boys Only" Camping trip. Friday night they sat around the camp fire and roasted marshmallows for s'mores. Then all went to the tent to play some games (uno and trouble). After games each took turns telling camping stories before falling asleep.

Saturday morning they ate pancakes and eggs for breakfast then hit the trails for a nice long mtn. bike ride. Little Stephen was riding like a pro on his new Trek five speed. Wesley, kept up very well. And even though he only learned to ride a two-wheeler just over a month ago, he was able to ride most of the trail all by himself. After mtn. biking the four stopped in at camp for a little rest before hiking to the highest point of the Laguna Mtns. When they got back to camp for lunch, they found that a critter had gotten into their bread, so they had to make a quick stop by the camp store for more bread for sandwiches. After lunch they headed back home, dirty, tired and content... until next weekend.

It's Getting Hot Outside!!!

2009-05-17T16:10:00.005-07:00

I think my kids have had just as much fun in their NEW plastic pool as in any other pool they've been in. The simple pleasures of childhood! We love Summer and can't believe the warm (ok....hot) weather is here!

2009-05-17T15:18:00.008-07:00

Over Spring Break we went to the Yuma County Fair and Wesley decided he wanted to go on this really scary ride!!! Shawn even went with him. Gracie is on the far left, with Madison next to her, Uncle Mike next to her, Wes, Shawn, some stranger and then Dylan. Wesley's head was hanging down during much of it and I thought he would be sick, but he came off laughing and he loved it! Gracie and I decided on one day off she had to do some Glamour Shots so we painted her nails, did hair, and makeup and tooks some photos. Here is one of them!

Molly is our most active baby!!! We love her! She was rolling well by 3 months, crawling great at 6 months and we have been hoping she wouldn't walk too early! The week before she turned 11 months she started taking some steps and just this past week she decided walking was definitely the better way to get around!

Wesley, Molly and Gracie...the 3 Amigos!

Back at the fair! Pictures got out of order.

My Mr. Fix-It Men!

2009-03-15T22:17:00.004-07:00

Wesley got a tool box with his own real tools for Christmas and ever since he has loved helping Shawn with anything he can. He helped fix the gate, tighten his training wheels and several times I have found him pushing the stool over to the shelf to get his tools so he could fix his toys. He will take the back off of his toys so he can replace the batteries and then he gets his screwdriver and puts it back together. I love that he is learning so much from Shawn. (Just a side note... Wesley was the one to go into the garage find the safety glasses, get two pairs, and give them to Shawn so he could help out and look cool!)

Gracie's first music video

2009-03-15T21:09:00.006-07:00

Composed, Choreographed, Filmed, and Performed by Gracie Paige Garner

Lyrics..... also by GPG

My first video upload!!

2009-03-15T20:58:00.003-07:00

Molly at 9 months!

Good Times at Nana and Papa's house

2009-03-15T20:30:00.003-07:00

Cooking for the Stake Relief Society Bday celebration ..... it took almost all day.. 40 pounds of pasta... a lot of mayonaisse, chicken, celery, olives and a lot of other great ingredients. It was a fun and busy day. My mom, sisters Heather and Gretchen and I had a fun day.

Molly absolutely loves her Papa and especially when he feeds her!

This is my cute niece, Sarah, who is only 3 months younger than Molly.

One of the many talents of Shawn Wesley Garner

Hannah and Molly havin' a good time.

Slow computers and batteries that don't last!

2009-02-20T10:13:00.002-07:00

So I have been dealing with an old computer and batteries that never seem to last in my camera, two things that are pretty important for a good blog. I have taken over my husband's laptop and haven't figured out what to do about my camera yet. I don't want to get a new one until I can buy one I really want. I love taking pictures and I want a nice camera, but I will just have to wait a little bit. I guess having to charge batteries all the time isn't that bad.

So January flew by so fast and now so is February. Last weekend we went to Gilbert and spent the weekend with Meagan, Chase and their little cutie Carter. We got to be there for his first appearance at church and my kids loved holding him. It was a fun and relaxing weekend and I can't wait to go visit them again soon. I have been busy with going to soccer practices, games, piano lessons for Gracie and I actually started taking them too! My sister, Heather, is giving them to me and I love it. I love having something that is stimulating and challenging. I am so glad that I live by her and that she'll share her talent with me. I just started about a month ago and it has been fun. Although, when I was babysitting at her house yesterday and my 10 year old niece, Madison, sat down at the piano and put me to shame it was a little embarrassing, but oh well, you have got to start somewhere!! I did take them when I was younger, but didn't really appreciate it, so I definitely didn't get the most out of it! Hopefully this time around is better!

So I am going to go charge my camera and start taking some pictures!!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-01T09:31:00.002-07:00

So I was talking to Wesley this morning and telling him about the New Year and asking him if he wanted to make any goals for the new year. I asked him if he knew what goals were and he said, "for soccer?" I smiled and told him what goals were and then asked him what goals he wanted to set and he said, "Play soccer" so I guess since he is on a soccer team he is going work on that this year!!

Family Pictures

2008-12-30T22:07:00.002-07:00

So my sister, Gretchen, and I decided that we would take each other's family pictures for our Christmas cards this year. Besides the fact that both of us showed up with cameras that were running out of batteries, and almost too many children to control I think it went pretty well. Thanks Gretch! So my New Year's letters are in the mail waiting to be picked up by the mail man tomorrow, just in time for the New Year's deadline!!! Pretty good considering I missed last year altogether!
I actually liked all the ones in front of the fountain much better in sepia and cropped so I don't have a fountain coming out of my head, but I couldn't get them from my shutterfly account to my blog, so you only get to imagine what they would look like!

Speaking of pictures and cameras, my sister, Jaime, got a new super fancy Nikon camera for Christmas this year and I had to stop myself from drooling on it. I love it! I love taking pictures, but my little kodak, that doesn't want to stay charged, isn't what you would really use for "serious" photography. I would love to get a better camera, and I will.....someday!!! :) Until then I'll have to make do with my point and shoot camera and do the best I can. ha ha ha

Don't Mess with Wes!

2008-12-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

So Wesley loved seeing Santa at the ward Christmas Party. He told him he wanted a helicopter and "other stuff!"

Before the party he helped Dad wash the car and got Dad a little wet too!

Wesley has recently become re-attached to all of his cars. He is always playing them. I won't know where he is and then I'll find him in his room lining all of his cars up in a row. He is a sweetie, but don't start to wrestle him because he'll take you down! He has had way to much practice with Dad!

Where's my tooth?

2008-12-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

So Gracie has lost 5 teeth already! About a week and a half ago Gracie was coming out of school and from across the parking lot I could tell she was missing something!! Her front tooth. She lost a tooth at school. She also recently participated in her school Christmas program and her first piano recital. She played "Away in a Manger" and did awesome! She is always making me things and helping clean the house, or holding Molly! How did I get so lucky?

Molly, "I can do anything"

2008-12-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

So she crawls, she drools, she sits up (sometimes) and she has a tooth. Molly will not leave my mom's christmas tree alone!!! We have ours up on a little table so that she can't get it. About two weeks ago she started doing a type of crawl where her arms and legs weren't in sync, but now she has got it down and her favorite things to crawl to are keys, paper, cell phones, and as I mentioned earlier, my mom's christmas tree! She is such a fun, happy baby, and she is so easy to put to bed. We love her!!

Carter Gamble Thompson

2008-12-19T09:23:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to update that my little sis, Meagan, had her baby, Carter, last night (December 18, 2008) at 11:15pm. He was 5 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches long. We are so happy he is here!

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays!

2008-12-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to add how excited I am that my sister Jaime and her family are here for Christmas! I am going to take lots of pictures and probably eat way to many sweets, but that's what Christmas is all about, right? I am soooo happy to live right by my family, especially during all the holidays. My mom is absolutely the best at making you feel the Christmas spirit. Her house is decorated beautifully, it always smells so good, and she is always there to welcome you with a big hug, a treat, (and even a DDP!) She was born on Christmas Eve and is the best mom I could ever ask for. I hope I can treat my kids as good as she treated me!! Love you mom!

Meagan's Christmas Miracle

2008-12-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

So my little sister Meagan has been on bedrest for 3 months and she was finally released from prison, I mean, let off bedrest on Wednesday at 36 weeks. She made one trip to the hospital, to no avail, but is very close. So little Carter will probably make his debut into the world sometime today!!! I can't wait to see the the little one who has been so anxious to get here. I am just grateful that Meagan has been able to stay pregnant for as long as she has. What a blessing!!! We love you Meagan and Chase! Good luck!

Ok....so I am back

2008-12-08T17:09:00.001-07:00

So hopefully it won't be another year and a half before my next post!!! Now I just have to start a little update on what Shawn, Gracie, Wesley, Molly and I have been up to since then!! Well for starters, my baby Molly is 6 months old, just started crawling, sitting up and she got her first tooth yesterday. I am going to post some pictures tomorrow. Wesley is loving having preschool with his cousins Maycee and Hannah. Heather, Gretchen and I take turns teaching. It is a lot of fun to do! I think the kids are even learning something!! Wesley just started soccer practice on Saturday. He is a Jaguar!!! Gracie is in 1st grade, taking piano lessons, and is on the Raptors soccer team!! Shawn is practicing Real Estate law, teaching seminary and busy playing with the kids.

Family Picture Dec. 2006

2007-09-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

Family Picture from Meagan and Chase's wedding in December 2006!

We finally have a blog!

2007-08-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone we finally thought we should jump on the bandwagon and start a blog of our own. We have enjoyed being able to see old friends and what they're up to, so now it's our turn to share with you.